Natural Skin-Care Products Safe Enough to Eat

Now living in Sedona, this Boston-born and raised 25-year-old is taking skin care and body deodorizers to a whole new level with products that she says are safe enough to eat. “Our skin, especially sensitive areas, are the most absorptive to your bloodstream. The chemicals in most deodorants and beauty creams can be damaging to your entire system.”

It all started when Danoff was having disruptive skin issues when she was using standard deodorants. “Aluminum-based deodorants were compromising my skin and I was dealing with skin abrasions and rashes. After doing some research, I started to feel very uncomfortable about some of the ingredients contained in deodorants. A friend advised that if you couldn’t pronounce them, then they might not be good for you. As I got older, I became more conscious of what I was putting into my body, not only with food but products, too.”

The solution to Danoff’s sensitive skin reactions and concerns about ingredients was to handcraft the products herself. Now, many of her customers are very thankful.  

“I’m a holistic health and wellness coach and as you can imagine, using clean, natural products is very important to me,” said Empowering Wellness owner Krista Arnaudo, based in Cottonwood. “Amelia has such a beautiful integrity about what she uses in her products by making a line of clean and natural products that are non-toxic. My favorite is her deodorant, which is targeted to keep odor down and keeps me fresh throughout the day, even during workouts. I give her five stars.”

Going back to her younger days, Danoff recalls her interest in making products. “I remember taking small, travel-size bottles and mixing creams to make potions. Then I would create a stand in our driveway and pretend to sell the products to my family. It’s funny, because it’s kind of what I’m doing now – but on a much larger scale, of course.”

Danoff attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated with a degree in Italian studies.  She credits her grandmother, Sue Kuan, for sparking her curiosity about beauty products. “My first skin care tip was from my grandmother, who takes banana peels and rubs them on her face.  She is into her 80s and has the most amazing skin. She has no wrinkles.”

Working at farmers markets in Flagstaff and the Verde Valley, Danoff also is selling her products at Chocolita Downtown on South San Francisco St. in Flagstaff.

“Customers have commented on her wonderful scents, especially the gardenia face moisturizer,” said Chocolita Downtown owner Sarah Ann Lesslie. “Amelia pays such attention to detail with her packaging. And her products not only smell incredible but are very effective. On top of that, she is such a sweetheart and great to work with.”

Living and hiking in Sedona has inspired Danoff’s products. “The ingredients I use in my products are straight from nature, and hiking in the majesty of the red rocks has not only inspired how I make my products but also my packaging,” she said.

After producing her deodorant paste, she then moved into solid fragrances. “These are solid form essential oil scents in recyclable push up tubes. I have five scents, and customers love them because of their portability. The bestsellers are my sandalwood and gardenia. I source my essential oils from reputable companies.”

Harvesting rosemary, peppermint and other herbs in her garden, Danoff’s product list continues with a Beef Tallow Moisturizer (another bestseller), a Rosemary Hair Oil, a range of nine lip balms produced from Sperry Farm Honey beeswax, plus candles and spray deodorants. She is in the process of reformulating her ultra-light moisturizer.

“I’ve only been in business for six months, but my products have really taken off. My most recent creation is an essential oil car diffuser that’s ready to sell. I’m just waiting for labels.”

The GEO products are all free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, talc and synthetic fragrances. FBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

For more information about GEO, visit www.gardenofedenorganix.com.

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Garden of Eden Organics founder Amelia Danoff sells her all-natural skin care products at the Verde Valley Farmers Market in Camp Verde and in Chocolita Downtown in Flagstaff.